SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Paul Tagliabue, appointed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to handle the appeals of players suspended in the bounty investigation, has overturned their suspensions.

Tagliabue said some players were guilty of conduct detrimental to the NFL, but that it appeared they were following orders from coaches.

Despite the lifting of the suspensions, John Madden told the KCBS morning crew that Goodell’s actions have ended the bounty culture.

“I think the way the commissioner came down on those bounties, there will never be bounties again,” Madden said. “Some people say they’ve been doing that forever, and maybe they have been doing that forever, and maybe it was still pretty prevalent. It won’t be any more. That’s gone now.”

It’s not clear if Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III will be ready for Sunday’s game in Cleveland after his knee was injured when he was hit on a running play. With more quarterbacks running the ball, Madden said, there is more exposure to injury.

“It’s a lot more dangerous,” Madden said. “You want them to slide and you want them to get out of bounds.” Madden said coaches need to teach running quarterbacks how to protect themselves. “It’s not an instinct that great players have, to run out of bounds… You have to learn to do that, you know, that when you have an opportunity, get out of bounds, and when you’re in the middle of the field slide. Because that’s your protection and you have to use your protection.” (8:20)

Daily Madden

Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM. And catch John’s extra report at 9:15 a.m. Mondays and Fridays during the NFL season.

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